U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held an awfully contentious assembly on the White Home on Friday. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance tag-teamed Zelensky on their very own turf, lambasting the Ukrainian chief as they pressured him to embrace diplomacy with Russia.
The assembly turned particularly heated after Zelensky underscored the Kremlin’s historical past of unreliability in relation to respecting worldwide agreements—pointing to Russia’s violation of a 2019 cease-fire with Ukraine. Vance then jumped in to scold Zelensky, saying, “I believe it’s disrespectful so that you can come to the Oval Workplace and attempt to litigate this in entrance of the American media.”
U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held an awfully contentious assembly on the White Home on Friday. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance tag-teamed Zelensky on their very own turf, lambasting the Ukrainian chief as they pressured him to embrace diplomacy with Russia.
The assembly turned particularly heated after Zelensky underscored the Kremlin’s historical past of unreliability in relation to respecting worldwide agreements—pointing to Russia’s violation of a 2019 cease-fire with Ukraine. Vance then jumped in to scold Zelensky, saying, “I believe it’s disrespectful so that you can come to the Oval Workplace and attempt to litigate this in entrance of the American media.”
The U.S. leaders accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for the help Washington had offered to Ukraine. Zelensky was visiting Washington to signal a minerals deal, which Trump stated will assist recoup the U.S. for the help it’s given to Ukraine. However after the confrontation within the Oval Workplace on Friday, the White Home stated the settlement was not signed and its future is now unsure.
Trump’s and Vance’s dealing with of the assembly prompted swift, widespread criticism and a wave of messages of assist for Ukraine and Zelensky from many corners, together with Democrats, Ukraine’s European allies, and even a few of Trump’s former advisors. In the meantime, a few of Trump’s Republican allies praised his and Vance’s actions as demonstrating “America First” management.
The reactions have been indicative of the surprising nature of the assembly and simply how drastically the US’ strategy to the Ukraine warfare—and international relations extra usually—has shifted since Trump re-entered the White Home a bit over a month in the past.
Former Trump advisors and Democrats slam the president
John Bolton, who served as nationwide safety advisor in Trump’s first administration (and has since grow to be a frequent critic of the president), ripped into the commander in chief and his vp over Friday’s occasions.
“Trump and Vance have declared themselves to be on Russia’s facet within the Russo-Ukraine warfare,” Bolton said on X. “This can be a catastrophic mistake for America’s nationwide safety. And let’s be clear: Trump and Vance now personally personal that coverage. It isn’t the view of a majority of People of both or no political celebration.”
H.R. McMaster, who additionally served as a nationwide safety advisor within the first Trump administration, said it’s “not possible to know” why Trump and Vance “appear decided to place extra stress on President Zelensky whereas they appear to be coddling Putin—the one who inflicted this horrible warfare in Ukraine.”
Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the rating member on the Senate International Relations Committee, in a put up on X said the “outrageous show” from Trump and Vance was “disgraceful” and “downright un-American.” Shaheen accused Trump of siding with “a murderous thug, Putin, over our democratic ally, Ukraine.”
Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, who additionally sits on the Senate International Relations Committee and is among the many most outspoken Democrats within the higher chamber in relation to international coverage, said the assembly was an “utter embarrassment for America.”
Seats for the Ukraine Press sit empty within the house slated for a information convention between Zelensky and Trump on Feb. 28. The presser was canceled after the Oval Workplace conflict. Nathan Howard/Reuters
Europe strains up behind Zelensky
World leaders additionally rapidly chimed in on Friday, expressing solidarity with Kyiv in what might be seen as veiled swipes at Trump and his America First strategy to international affairs.
“We should always respect those that have been preventing for the reason that starting,” French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday in Portugal following the fireworks on the Trump-Zelensky assembly. Macron, who met with Trump on the White Home earlier this week—and fact-checked the U.S. chief to his face on European assist for Ukraine—additionally emphasised the significance of remembering that Russia is the “aggressor.”
“Ukraine, you’ll by no means stroll alone,” Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said by way of X. In an identical put up, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said, “Ukraine, Spain stands with you.” Friedrich Merz, the possible incoming German chief, additionally said he stands with Zelensky earlier than including that the “aggressor and sufferer on this horrible warfare” mustn’t ever be confused.
The highest diplomats for the Netherlands and Germany issued comparable messages of assist for Kyiv and the Ukrainian president.
European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen praised Zelensky for his “dignity” and stated the bloc will proceed working with him “for a simply and lasting peace.”
This all comes as Europe ramps up discussions on tips on how to confront a world through which the U.S. pulls again and received’t assure that it’s going to come to the protection of allies, amid sharp criticism from the Trump administration aimed on the EU and NATO.
“The one impediment to peace is the choice by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to proceed his warfare of aggression. If Ukraine stops preventing, there will likely be no Ukraine. Estonia’s assist for Ukraine stays unwavering. It’s time for Europe to step up. We don’t want to attend for one thing else to occur; Europe has sufficient sources, together with Russia’s frozen belongings, to allow Ukraine to proceed preventing,” Estonian International Minister Margus Tsahkna stated in a press release to International Coverage on Friday.
Republicans reward Trump
However not all the reactions to Friday’s Oval Workplace assembly have been adverse. Numerous Republicans, together with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, hailed Trump for his efficiency on the assembly—characterizing it as a fierce protection of the American individuals.
GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a detailed ally of Trump’s, in an look on Fox Information said he advised the president that the assembly with Zelensky was presumably the “greatest tv” he’s ever seen. “I believe that Moscow is extra afraid than ever,” Graham stated.
Particular authorities worker Elon Musk reacted by sharing a post on X, which he owns, with 4 U.S. flag emojis.
Russia appears on with glee
In the meantime, Russia seems to be fairly happy with how Zelensky’s journey to Washington performed out. Russian International Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Trump and Vance displayed marvelous “restraint” by not slapping Zelensky, whom she known as a “scumbag.”
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, an ally of Putin’s, in a put up on X said, “The insolent pig lastly acquired a correct slap down within the Oval Workplace.” Medvedev added that Trump was “proper” to warn Zelensky that “the Kiev regime” is “playing with WWIII.”
Amid Trump’s rhetorical assaults towards Zelensky in current days, Ukrainians have rallied round him. This pattern seems poised to proceed following the remarkably testy Oval Workplace exchanges with Trump and Vance. Ukrainian parliament member Kira Rudik on Friday said she will be able to’t think about the “stress” Zelensky is beneath, wishing him “knowledge” and the “information his nation is behind him.”
FP’s Rishi Iyengar contributed reporting to this story.
